ANSWERING
THE PESSIMIST
Scripture - Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:6
Introduction: I am sure that we all had those moments when we felt that everything
we do and live for is for naught. You ask, “why do I
keep getting up in the morning?” We see that life is not fair. Let me ask, “Who
said it was supposed to be?” Then you must ask, “What is fair?” Is there some
earthly tribunal set up to make such a determination? Increasingly we see how
men are treating each other. We witness oppression by governments and those who
have power. Who will stand up for those without a voice.
Did you ever think you would be better off having never been born? Or maybe you
may have wanted to take an early departure out of life because you thought
enough is enough. We see those who work hard and long so they can have more
than, better than, and nicer than the other guy.
A.
What I have
described seems dark indeed. In addition, many are those who share in the
sentiments that I have articulated
B.
The preacher
of Ecclesiastes engaged in such pessimism - Pessimism is defined as “The
tendency to look on the dark side of things or to see the difficulties and
disadvantages. The belief that things naturally tend to evil,
or that life is not worth while. The belief or doctrine that the evil in life
outweighs the good.”
C.
Yet, in spite
of what seems to be a pathetic picture of life, there is hope for all that want
something better. There is a lifeline to pull us up out of the pits of despair.
There is an answer that God has provided the preacher of Ecclesiastes and
everyone else who shares his sentiments: The answer if found in the Words and
work of Jesus Christ
D.
There are
four points from the passage-of Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:6 that I would like to
consider along with their corresponding answers.
I.
There is
neither justice nor equity (
A.
The preacher
sees that the governing bodies around him and the courts turned justice on its
head. He saw that the great institutions whose purpose was to serve humanity
had turned on humanity
1.
Instead of
what was fair or right, the people found wickedness
2.
Instead of
moral equity the people found wickedness
3.
Such may be
the case for us, particularly if we are Christians
B.
The preacher
took momentary comfort in the fact that we must all appear before the Lord of
lords and King of kings who will our out true, fair and equitable justice
1.
God will be
our judge (
2.
All will be
judged according to deeds (2 Cor.
3.
All will be
judged by the same standard (John
4.
Keep in mind
Jesus knows better than anyone inJustices (1 Pet.
5.
Blessings
come if we endure through the injustices (Matt.
6.
We are to
fear not but look forward (Rev. 2:10)
7.
How long?
(Rev. 6:9-11) - See Philippians 1:22-25, 2 Peter 3:3-4, 9
C.
They will all
be there in judgment to answer for their crimes (Rev. 20:11-12)
II. Men are
no different from the beasts; a continuation of the pessimism (Ecc.
A.
God lets man
continue in his ways - He does not suppress nor interfere (v. 18)
1.
Distinguishes
the righteous from the wicked (Rev. 22:11; Matt. 25:24-30)
2.
A tree is
know by the fruit it bears (Matt.
3.
The manner in
which men treat one another is as the beasts who
pounce upon each other without any remorse. We are supposed to be higher than
the beasts
B.
We are really no different than the beast in
death (vv. 19, 20)
1.
The preacher
is now a cynic who begins to doubt the motives of mankind
2.
He suggests
that if men are brutish in their treatment of each other then maybe their fate
is shared with the beasts; and he cites some examples of the possibility
C.
Now, what
about the spirit of man, what will become of it? (v. 21)
1.
Jesus is the
answer (John
2.
And we can
have the victory in Christ (1 Cor.
3.
We are not
beast; Jesus has come in the likeness of man to redeem man
II.
There is
oppression everywhere (Ecc. 4:1-3)
A.
There is no
one to comfort them (v. 1)
1.
The weak and
lowly are taken for granted; yet what can anyone do about it?
2.
If the
oppressor has all the power, who will deliver the oppressed?
3.
Such is true
in the religious realm; many would like to keep us down if they could. They use
money and influence, we have the truth and promises (Psa. 74:21)
B.
Do not allow
despair to set in because of what happens to and around us (vs. 2, 3)
1.
Leads to
depression and suicide
2.
We must learn
to rejoice and be at peace (Phi. 4:4-7)
3.
We must not
be so quick to cast away our confidence (Heb.
4.
Jesus is all
the comfort we need (Matt. 5:4)
5.
Jesus was a
man of compassion and acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3-9)
6.
Yet, he did
not despair (Heb. 12:2-3)
III.
There are
those whose labors are motivated purely by rivalry (Ecc. 4:4-6 NASB)
A.
Here are
those who do not rest and are full of anxiety
1.
They concern
themselves with another’s achievements
2.
They work at
having bigger, better and prettier things
B.
The opposite
extreme is that there are those who do not work at all
C.
We need to
learn to appreciate and be content with our lot in life
1.
Godliness
with contentment is gain (1 Tim. 6:3-10)
2.
We need to
learn that humility is the key to greatness (Luke
Conclusion:
The real pessimist is the one who is not in a right relationship with Christ.
His ties are to this world; when it disappoints there is not much hope (1 Cor.